America 1786 - 1791

This tapestry-upholstered sofa was produced in France at the Beauvais manufactory; though undated, its style reflects the late eighteenth century. Note the allegorical scene: female figures representing Europe and America are seated together, attended by cherubs. The imagery reflects the political reality of the period. France had allied with the nascent United States in its war for independence from Britain and, as a result, hoped to benefit economically from the growth of the new nation. This sofa projects that optimistic vision, but it's worth remembering that the realities of transatlantic trade could be brutal, based as they were on the exploitation of enslaved labor. By researching the archives of the Beauvais manufactory, social historians can learn a great deal about who commissioned these works, where they were displayed, and how they were understood by contemporary audiences. This kind of research helps us to see the connections between art, power, and the making of history.